"Well, crying isn't gonna bring your dog back . . . unless your tears smell like dog food. So you can either sit there crying and eating can after can of dog food until your tears smell enough like dog food to make your dog come back or you can go out there and find your dog."
- Homer J. Simpson
Monday, June 2, 2008
Something written elsewhere today reminded me of something Simon Peter once said. You know Simon Peter: he's been the subject of a million chortling observations among Christians for ages. You've heard it, and probably said it. "Good ol', dumb ol', impulsive, talks-before-he-thinks Simon Peter".
I don't make fun of Simon Peter anymore. Just a few reasons below:
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?†Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.â€
- John 6:66-69
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?†Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.â€Just those two pretty much do it for me. Peter had some faults, but sometimes he just nailed it. It's times like that when I realize I'm not worthy to untie his shoes.
- Matthew 16:15-16
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Comments on "Why I Don't Make Fun of Simon Peter":
2. Jared
- 06/02/2008 9:28 am CDT
Well, I'm sure I've done the "dumb ol'" Peter thing, and I know I've done the "dumb ol'" disciples thing, but my intention has never been to suggest "them: dumb / me: smart."
When I talk about the slow-on-the-uptake qualities of the disciples (or the Israelites in the wilderness), I always try to say "This is us. We are them."
But I get what you're saying.
I also hate that Thomas gets such a bad rap with that whole Doubting Thomas thing. His wanting to see to believe thing seems quite natural to me and we've all been guilty of that a million times.
3. Bill
- 06/02/2008 9:57 am CDT
I'm with you, Jared - I've done the same thing. I agree that the disciples are really a picture of us, and I think in that context it makes perfect sense to point to their actions and words as an example of how we often are.
I was referring to the times I've heard people laugh at Peter as if he's dumber than they are.
I've got a few more of these posts in the wings :-) - Thomas is one of them.
4. jen
- 06/02/2008 2:11 pm CDT
I love that Peter was impetuous and sometimes clueless. It gives me hope when I am the same. I love Peter and after meeting Jesus he's next on my list of people I want to meet in heaven.
5. Shrode
- 06/02/2008 2:29 pm CDT
I can't wait for the Thomas one...
He's my guy. I was just telling someone last night. Thomas was there for me. Part of the reason I believe is because of Thomas. It's like God put him there for the skeptics. Thank you God for Thomas.
Big question for me: Thomas said, "Let us also go that we might die with him." Bold statement of loyalty? OR Sarcasm? OR resigned defeatism?
I don't know. But he's my guy.
6. Manders
- 06/02/2008 4:24 pm CDT
Also, Peter was crucified UPSIDE-DOWN because he didn't think he was worthy to be crucified rightside-up like Jesus was. UPSIDE-DOWN. Peter totally owns, guys.
7. The Ancient Mariner
- 06/02/2008 6:39 pm CDT
I may have to post one on Thomas myself. I've preached on him twice now, and he's becoming one of my favorite of the Twelve.
8. damien
- 06/02/2008 11:15 pm CDT
did you ever notice that when peter tells jesus, at the last supper, that even if it cost him his life he would not deny him, "all the disciples said the same thing." matthew 26:35
9. Bird
- 06/03/2008 6:47 am CDT
Peter is my boy. He's obviously human, having screwed up many times, but God did unbelievable things through him. And, like Manders pointed out, he chose to be crucified upside down. That's heavy.
Thomas is awesome, too. I think deep inside most of us have those "unless I see it" moments, and God's faithful to show us his wounds. I love Thomas' response, "My Lord and my God!"
10. Bill
- 06/03/2008 8:06 am CDT
Yes, Thomas is great.
There's one other NT character that comes to mind that's been very unjustly slammed in sermons and some people's theology. I hope to post on that person tonight.
11. Karl
- 06/03/2008 12:34 pm CDT
Dorothy Sayers says this about Thomas:
"It is unexpected, but extraordinarily convincing, that the one absolutely unequivocal statement in the whole gospel of the Divinity of Jesus should come from Doubting Thomas. It is the only place where the word God is used ... without qualification of any kind, and in the most unambiguous form of words .... And this must be said -- not ecstatically, or with a cry of astonishment -- but with flat conviction, as of one acknowledging irrefutable evidence: '2 + 2 = 4,' 'That is the sun in the sky,' 'You are my Lord and my God!'
Sayers, The Man Born to Be King (London: Victor Collancz, 1943), 319-20.
12. The Ancient Mariner
- 06/03/2008 12:59 pm CDT
Ehh, Bill, you got me started, and I was sparked a bit more by the anti-Christian arguments of a commenter on one of my other posts--I did go ahead and put up a post on Thomas. It's pretty long, but maybe you'll find it interesting.
Oh, and re #10: Eutychus? :)
13. Bill
- 06/03/2008 2:07 pm CDT
"Oh, and re #10: Eutychus? :)"
Wrong gender :-)
I look forward to reading your post!
14. Gary in TN
- 06/07/2008 7:50 am CDT
I was recently bowled over by reading and finally absorbing Luke 22:61 - And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. The words had just come out of Peter's mouth, I do not know the man! And the Lord turned and looked at Peter - looked at him with compassion and love and understanding just like He looks at us every day when the words of our mouth, the attitude of our heart and the actions exhibited in our lives scream out to a watching world - I do not know the man! I know of Him, but He is not yet ruling in my life. Powerful stuff in that one simple verse.
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I don't make fun of Peter, either. If I did, what hope would there be for me?